Alan Shearer's verdict on Newcastle, Sunderland and THAT Lee Charnley statement

Alan Shearer's reacted to Newcastle United's relegation '“ and Sunderland's survival.
Alan ShearerAlan Shearer
Alan Shearer

The Match of the Day pundit was manager the last time the club was relegated in 2009.

And Newcastle's all-time record goalscorer feels lessons were never learnt from that campaign.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Shearer, speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, has also responded to the statement issued last night by Lee Charnley, United's managing director.

ON NEWCASTLE'S RELEGATION:

"When you've been flirting with relegation for so long the inevitable will happen.

"When you don't address problems that have been glaringly obvious for years then, ultimately, you get what you deserve, as hard as it is for me to say that because of the fantastic fans that go there week in, week out and will continue to go there. It's devastating for the fans.

Sam AllardyceSam Allardyce
Sam Allardyce

"It's been coming for a while, hasn't it."

ON SUNDERLAND'S SURVIVAL:

"They deserved to stay up because they made key decisions when decisions needed to be made.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"They brought in an experienced manager (Sam Allardyce) at the right time which gave him enough time to look at his team and his squad and get the necessary results to stay in the Premier League.

Rafa BenitezRafa Benitez
Rafa Benitez

"Newcastle dillied and dallied and waited around, and in the end got a world-class manager. He couldn't even save them.

"I was the fourth manager in 2009 when we got relegated in that season, and the same mistakes that were made in that season have been made again this season.

"The inevitable happened, I'm afraid."

ON WHETHER WILL RAFA BENITEZ STAY:

Sam AllardyceSam Allardyce
Sam Allardyce

"I think it would be brilliant if he stay, but I'd be amazed (if) a guy of his stature, a world-renowned coach, managed in the Championship. I can't see it happening. I'd love to be wrong.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"I know it's a huge football club, and I know he's been very impressed with the fans, who have taken to him, but I'd be amazed because but he'll have loads and loads of offers, not only from the Premier League but around the world."

ON NEWCASTLE'S JANUARY SPEND:

"They were in a desperate situation. Players should have been signed a long time before that.

"Also, you've got to at recruitment and who you're buying."

ON LEE CHARNLEY'S STATEMENT:

Rafa BenitezRafa Benitez
Rafa Benitez

"That's one thing Newcastle have been good at this season – putting statements out.

"I think they should have looked at what went wrong earlier. It might be a bit late to look at it now.

"I'm devastated for the fans, because they don't deserve to be in the Championship. They deserve to be in the big league."